Chapter Twenty One- Heart-attack

Chapter Twenty-One: Heart-attack

Devastated would've been an understatement; if I had said it. I didn't let Evan get over my head and started walking back to the school. One good thing, that his apartment and school wasn't that far at all. And I didn't seem to mind some ME time.

I really wanted to just go home and cry in my blanket but, I had some responsibilities on my shoulder, which were prior to me.

As soon as I got back to school, I received a text from Soph telling me that the case had triggered towards Marcus. I was extremely relieved to read that, as if a huge rock was picked up from my chest.

Marcus's the one being expelled for good and Evan has been excused. I was more than happy but, then everything came back about what he did.

Why did he do that? He looked in a pretty good mood and I even thought for once—just for once that he might feel something other than hatred for me but, no, I was totally mistaken. He hates me... and that breaks me!

After, somehow, attending my last lecture, I worked my extra hours with my team–excluding Evan, in the gym. There was still so much to do and the days suddenly felt shorter to us.

It was 5:30 when I sat on the steps of the school waiting for Marissa to pick me up. I texted her to leave early, as I was already finished for today.

What about the call? He kicked me out probably after he got that call... Who was calling him?

His dad...?

Yes! His dad's the only person he hates more than me...

But, I couldn't do anything in that matter until he will let me in and tell me things about him and his past. He was like a mystery no one was able to solve it. Not even me.

I scrolled down the screen of my Iphone, looking at his phone number, thinking what to do with it. Especially now when he made pretty sure, he doesn't like me at all and doesn't want to be friends.

Should I just delete it or keep it? I'm not obsessed or something...

Definitely not!

I was about to press the delete when I heard ruffling of boots. I looked up at my right and saw Justin in his basketball jersey, striding with long steps towards me.

I lowered my gaze, knowing he saw me looking at him. I knew why he was here and I was glad he was.

"You mind?" He asked, with his doe eyes, gesturing towards the empty space beside me on the stair.

I nodded and he plonked down, rubbing his hands together. The air had started turning chilly mostly in the evening since few weeks.

I looked in his eyes expectantly, waiting to hear his side of apology.

"Now, don't look at me like that!" Justin whined, running a hand through his blonde hair.

"Like what?" I shrugged innocently as if I had no clue of what he was saying.

"Like you-know-I'm-gonna-apologize look!"

"Then just say it, Jus."

He huffed a sigh and draped his arm around my shoulder. "I'm really sorry for being a Jerk to you that night. I really had no idea how to react to a situation where your best friend tells you that she's in love with your best enemy..."

I chuckled at the way he said it.

"No... There's no L word involved! And I was just being me. I like helping people and I thought you knew that." I tried to turn the tables and it seemed to work, as he considered my explanation.

I looked away from his eyes because, I knew he could easily read my lie.

"I know he's not 'any people' to you. And, I really don't understand what you saw in him–but, that's not the point here... I should've at least tried to be a good best friend to you. I'm really sorry, Elle." I knew he was sincerely saying all that. And I never really got mad at him just a little disappointed.

I smiled. A genuine one.

"Jus, you already are the best best-friend. I swear." I assured.

I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him closely. Tears threatened to barge out but, I wasn't going to ruin the moment.

"I heard all the buzz about Evan being expelled. And later Soph told me what you did for him– like standing up to Mr. Black..." He pulled away, and spoke.

I tapped my foot on the last step, anxiously, avoiding his gaze.

"Yeah... you heard right. But, he not getting expelled anymore. Marcus is." I enlightened, looking down.

"I'm really proud of you, Elle. You did the right thing no matter if it was for him." He gibbered, making a pun at HIM.

I couldn't believe he just said that. I looked back up at him and grinned. "Thanks."

He nodded, smiling. It was our silent moment. The one, both of us didn't mind.

I couldn't come to say anything, as I simply laid my head on his shoulder.

"I'm just looking out for you, Elle. I'm a guy and I can tell about one if he's really a good person for you to be with or not. And, he's-"

I cracked a smile and nodded. "Complicated? I know. But, you don't know him the way I do. I really think he's much more than what he shows of himself."

"For you sake, I think you're right about him."

"I am..." I said with uncertain tone which thankfully he didn't seem to notice. I wasn't sure. He won. I can't do this anymore. I can't help someone who doesn't want to get helped. Not anymore...

"Okay then. But, just know. We are always right behind you." He affirmed, causing my tears to slid down to my cheeks.

I nodded against his shoulder and wiped off my tears. "I know that..." And I was really blessed to have friends like them in my life.

I looked up a little and he was already staring down at me. "That jerk should better treat you the way you deserve or I'll kick his ass..." He told with a promising voice, causing me to chuckle.

I pulled away, looking at him. My hands fidgeting in my lap.

I was baffled for a moment thinking if I should tell him what happened today or not...

At first I thought not to but, I told him anyway. "Well I went to see him today. And he clearly told me that he doesn't want to even be friends with me...anymore." Fresh tears made their way out. I didn't care if I was crying in front of him. I just couldn't hold it anymore.

"God! He's definitely an asshole. Screw him Elle... He was never worth a shot. If he can't see how special he is for you. And how much you do for him..." He spoke, and gave me another comforting hug, a full one.

Justin quickly added, "And,now I'll kick the crap out of him..." He whispered.

A small smile crawled up to my lips, knowing he was just kidding. He was kidding, right? I hope so because, no matter what Evan says or does to me, a part of me still likes him and stands by his side.

We pulled away. "Will you be okay? Do you want to talk about it?"

"With you? NOOOO!" I joked, trying to illuminate the air around us, wiping my tears away and smiling.

Just then the roaring of engine filled the almost empty parking lot, causing us to look over there. It was Marissa.

"My ride's here..." Quietly, I said and straightened up. He stood up too.

I shrugged, "And, I guess I'll be fine. It's no big deal right? Anyway, Michelle Reynold is much stronger than this, right?"

He gave me his genuine smile and nodded. "Absolutely."

Marissa parked the car at the gate, waiting for me. She had spotted me and gave me a nod- which meant I could take my time.

We started walking towards my car.

"You don't have to walk me to my car. I'm really am fine." I told. It was a lie. I was barely holding up. It was hurting. A lot.

"I know... I'm just walking so; we can talk a bit more."

"About what?" I begged it wasn't about him again, as I awfully needed to distract myself or I wouldn't stop crying.

"Um... actually, nothing. It doesn't matter. We can talk about it later."

"No really. I'm fine and you can tell me. Really..." I assured him, with a fake brave voice which seemed to work.

He grabbed my arm, restraining me from moving forward. I turned to face him. He looked a little pale, as if he was going to tell me about the ghost he saw last night. Lol.

"Justin, just tell me." I held his hand.

He nodded. "Remember the last time when we all were at my place... I told you I wanted to talk to you about something..."He looked in my eyes, expectantly. I nodded, trying to remember it. "Oh! Yeah... when Kim intruded and you never really told what it was."

He nodded quite few times and squeezed my hand a little, making me nervous. "I overheard my parents talking about your parents." that definitely caught all my undivided attention, "Dad said something about your parents checking in his hotel just before the night of your birthday. Every year, just before the night of your birthday they check-in and stayed for few days." I could hear the Sherlock speaking in his voice. But, I also could tell how difficult it was for him to tell me something like that.

Wow! Now, that's how it feels when you get a heart-attack. My whole world collapsed in front of my eyes. What.... he said...? I couldn't even form a proper sentence in my head anymore.

I stepped away from Justin, looking at him as if he just stabbed a knife into my chest.

"I didn't know how to tell you... I was—"

I was barely breathing.

"Justin, please. I think I had enough for a day. Thanks, though. I'll text you when I can." I almost rushed away when he grabbed my arm pulling me into a hug.

"No matter what. You can always talk to me, right?"

I nodded against his chest, damping his jersey T shirt with my tears.

"I have to go." I said, hurriedly, and ran towards the car and didn't sigh until the school was out of my sight. I wish I simply had stayed home for today... and everything would've been undone. Which meant, I would still be thinking that my parents loved me and didn't ditch me intentionally on my birthdays.

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